Like many of his teammates, Smith thought someone would offer Carolina's offensive coordinator a head coaching job during the offseason.

While Chudzinski interviewed with Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and St. Louis, he wasn't offered a job. Now he's back with Carolina -- and his players say they're selfishly thrilled.

Smith calls Chudzinski an "innovator," saying his offense is "always evolving and doesn't allow you to get comfortable, which is great."
Despite a shortened offseason in 2011, Chudzinski helped pumped life back into a stagnant offense.

The Panthers went from 32nd in the league in scoring two years under former coordinator Jeff Davidson to fifth last season under Chudzinski.